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Eight Grand Forks high school seniors have been selected as candidates for the 2015 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, according to the district. Five Red River High School students — Abby Abymond, Andie Chandler, Andrew Hu, Julia Krogh and Cali Richtsmeier — and three Central High students — Annabel Jiran, Juliet Wolfe and Paige Hanson — have been invited to apply to be selected as a presidential scholar. The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program recognizes and honors distinguished graduating seniors across the nation.

The Grand Forks School Board on Monday approved 27 early retirement requests from employees effective this year, a higher number compared to recent years, according to the district business manager. Payments to the counselors, principals, teachers and other employees amounts to a total $1.4 million, or $361,001 annually over four years, according to the district. Viking Elementary Principal George Whalen, Ben Franklin Elementary music teacher Annella Winger and Valley Middle School Principal Barry Lentz are among those retiring. The program helps the district save money in the long run, as

Despite strong support from his community and staff, a longtime Minnesota superintendent's contract hasn't been renewed. The Warroad School Board voted in December against renegotiating Craig Oftedahl's contract and some are still wondering why. An online petition with 380 signatures wasn't enough to keep the superintendent, who has held various roles in the district for nearly two decades. A district survey also showed 90 percent of staff wanted him to stay. His contract ends June 30. Board chairman Justin Partee said he voted against renewal because of Oftedahl's job performance.

One Grand Forks teacher starts class with a simple statement. Nearly every day, special education students at Lewis and Clark Elementary School say "I can" -- as in, "I can read more fluently, I can tell a story" -- to help them better understand the new Common Core education standards. By reciting what they can do, they understand what their goal is and what they're going to work on, said teacher Jamie Toutenhoofd. "Kids need a purpose," she said. "Why am I doing this? Why am I reading?" Her technique is a simple example of what's become a controversial topic.

The vaccination rate of Grand Forks County students falls within what's needed to stop the spread of measles and other diseases, but more parents are opting out of vaccines, according North Dakota Department of Health data. Since 2008, 94 percent or more students have had age-appropriate vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) before entering kindergarten.

SaNoah LaRocque always knew she wanted to be a doctor. It was a dream she's clung to throughout most of her young adult life, after living in five states and attending 13 schools. Now, as the Grand Forks Central High School senior looks forward to graduating this spring, she's preparing to leave again, this time for Harvard University as a pre-med student.

UND freshman Cheyenne Defender said her involvement in Job Shadow Week was a personal one. Defender, who is majoring in nursing, spent time Wednesday with nurse Melissa Marx of Comfort Keepers in Grand Forks. Once Defender heard about the pilot program, which was offered at the personal care service, she signed up. She's cared for her grandfather in the past and thought this would be a good opportunity to learn more, she said. Defender was among eight college students who would be job shadowing at Comfort Keepers until Friday.

A high school robotics team in Grygla (Minn.) qualified for the world championship, according to the team's adviser. One of two district teams — the Iron Chargers — scored the second-highest score at a recent state tournament, adviser Isaac Kvasager said.